*******
If nothing had shocked the first years so far the sight about to come would. The roof of the great hall was the most amazing thing Remus had ever seen. Above clusters of hovering candles there were clouds. How had it been created? The white orb of the moon glided through shrouds of cloud. Small stars glinted in well know patterns that seemed so unfamiliar in this setting.
When Remus finally tore his eyes down he saw the stark comparison of the warm welcoming hall to the harsh elements portrayed above. The walls were festooned with banners emblazoned with the school and house emblems. There were four tables with students sitting at them. All of them were staring, though some at the empty golden platters rather than at the first years. And above on a raised dais sat the teaching staff. Right in the middle of the table was the Headmaster, his bright blue eyes scanned the new students. Remus felt as if they, for a moment fixed on him and Dumbledore smiled wider. Bellow the dais on a stool was a battered hat.
r imagination, (free your soul!) I have faith that you can just brush over this tiny little omission. Just think up your own, it'll do you good. Feel free to flame, but I may invent a song yet and put it in later. Sorry. Sorry. ^Grovels on the floor. (Cough) stands up and continues with the fic^)
He was snapped back to what was happening by Professor McGonagall's sharp voice. "I will read out your names in alphabetical order. When I reach your name please walk forward, sit on the stool, and put on the hat. When you have been sorted, please walk swiftly to your house table." She adjusted her glasses cleared her throat and unfurled a scroll.
"Appleby, Bertha." The first nervous girl stumbled forward. Remus pitied her name and was thankful his began with an L. She looked elated as the hat announced "Hufflepuff!" The far table to the left gave a tremendous cheer.
"Arnolds, George." He walked towards the stool in an anxious hurry. He also ran to join the Ravenclaw table when the hat told the hall.
"Beaufort, Merope." As the second girl to go up was pronounced a Gryffindor, Remus realised exactly what was happening. He was done for
"Black, Sirius." There was Sirius, and after less than a second "Gryffindor!" rang out across the hall. He ran to the Gryffindor table to the sound of cheers.
"Cullen, Clive." What if he didn't get into a house with his friends? Remus thought. "Ravenclaw!"
"Dalir, Kapila." also became a Ravenclaw. Would he make new friends in his new house?
"De Morvill, Sophia." The first Slytherin. What if he didn't get into a house at all?
"Dipson, Wilbur" What if the hat... "Ravenclaw!"
"Evans, Lilly." ...didn't put him in a house and shouted Werewolf! instead? It didn't bear thinking about. Remus shuddered and looked at the red-haired girl joining the Gryffindor table. At least she didn't have to worry about not being put in a house. As he was looking at the Gryffindors, he saw Sirius wave. His stomach sank further.
"Fenning, Timothy." A pale boy who looked as sick as Remus felt was made a Hufflepuff. He fell over on the way to his table in his haste to be out of everyone's sight. The Hufflepuffs helped him to his feet without so much as a joke. They didn't seem so bad. Maybe, Remus thought they wouldn't mind me. But in his heart he knew this was a futile hope.
"Fisher, Flynn." A confident boy walked forward and was quickly made a "Slytherin!" What was it James had said about Slytherins? He had been quite vehement about the fact he would leave immediately if he was sorted with them. Well he was an evil creature, Remus mused, and he would fit in. Perhaps.
"Goldtern, Sandra." A girl with violently ginger hair and glasses became a "Ravenclaw!"
"Gunning, Verdi." They've reached the Gs. Oh hell. Remus checked his palm; it was red and sore as if he had been burned. "Ravenclaw!"
"Harding, Olive." James was trying to keep Peter from shaking. "Hufflepuff!" He, however seemed to be lapping up the stress.
"Harpspur, Pearl." Another girl became a Gryffindor.
"Hue, Iona." The Ravenclaw table erupted with applause as she joined them.
"Locket, Tacita." The Ls. How many were there? Would he be next? What was going to happen? Would he be found out? The questions spun round in Remus's head till he felt dizzy. "Hufflepuff!"
"Lupin, Remus." Remus thought he heard a catch in McGonagall's voice. His first step felt like the first step in a funeral procession. He could hear his heart pounding over everything else, even his thoughts were silent. His head felt like it was full of cotton wool. He felt just as sick as when he touched the silver cloak fastening. All too soon, it seemed, he was at the stool. He lifted the hat and placed it on his head.
*Hello.* said a voice in his head. It was definitely in his head, maybe the stress had made him go crazy? *No you're not crazy. I'm the sorting hat and don't worry, no one else can hear me.* the hat pre-empted his question. * Now where to put you?* he felt the presence delving into his mind. He didn't like it and uttered a mental growl. *Ah.* the hat sounded slightly alarmed. *I'm sorry. You are the first we've ever had here. I wish Dumbledor had told me, no one ever tells me anything * Remus relaxed slightly
^Don't worry^ he thought, feeling sorry for the hat. ^It must be very frustrating. I mean not being told anything.^
The hat seemed to recover slightly *Well, thank you. It's nice to meet someone so understanding, but I suppose you don't meet very many do you.* Remus fought the urge to shake his head. *That quality would stand you in good stead in Hufflepuff, but then would they be understanding enough about your.. problem.. or would they be afraid?* the hat pondered. *Now your mind is certainly good enough for Ravenclaw, but they would be the most likely to discover your secret and be very hard edged about it. Slytherin,*
^Oh yes, because I'm an evil creature.^ Remus considered depressively.
*No, sorry you just don't have that frame of mind.* Remus almost sighed audibly. *No that would never do. That leaves Gryffindor. Yes, brave Godric's house. Most of the people I put there haven't had to deal with the hardships you have or will. You have encountered trials most can not even imagine. The fact that you are here proves your bravery. It is our actions that reveal who we truly are. And you belong in...* "Gryffindor!" the hat bellowed aloud.
Remus took a deep breath, realising he hadn't inhaled since the hat started talking. He removed it carefully then placed it back on the stool. Murmuring thank you so no one else could hear, he walked down towards the other Gryffindors. The roaring of cheers fell silently on his ears as he tried to accept what had just happened.
He sat down next to Pearl Harpspur and opposite Sirius, who leaned over and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Well done mate. Good to have you, but you didn't half take along time." He said as "Jones, Aderyn." Became a Ravenclaw.
"These lovely ladies are Pearl and Lilly and Merope." Pointed them out in his most flamboyant way. Pearl giggled. "Ladies this is my esteemed friend Mr Remus Lupin." This time all three of the girls laughed, but the sound was stifled by the sound of "Mutton, Gertrude." becoming a "Slytherin!"
"Hi Remus," Merope. "are you excited about being here?"
"Yes," Remus confirmed, "more than you can imagine." He didn't feel ill any more except from his hand. And now he was here "Nimms, Thomas." at Hogwarts the lace he had always "Hufflepuff!" wanted to be, but never dared hope. Things seemed to be getting better by the second.
"Hey, look there's Pete." Sirius announced.
Peter was still looking ill and blundered forward when McGonagall read "Petigrew, Peter." He appeared even worse when sitting on the stool, but brightened up when the hat pronounced him a "Gryffindor!"
"Thank goodness" he breathed flopping down next to Sirius. "I thought I might end up in Slytherin." He began to look at the golden plates longingly
"Pits, Samson." Went to the Hufflepuffs before it was James's turn.
"Potter, James." He assuredly walked up to the stool. His wish was granted almost instantaneously. "Gryffindor!" the hat yelled. He sauntered down to the table beaming all the way. "Well, that wasn't so bad." He said casually cleaning his glasses. Remus had to control the urge to kick him under the table, very, very hard.
"Robson, Emma" soon followed him sighing as she sat down. "I don't know what you're grinning about?" she groaned, "I was doing my nut up there."
"Snape, Serverus." A tall greasy looking boy joined the ranks of the Slytherins with a smirk.
"Trent, Sabre." I'm ok no one knows what I am and I'm ok. Remus gave a mental sigh of relief. "Ravenclaw."
"Undermore, Isabella.", "Weston, Max." and "Whitton, Leo." Joined the Slytherins.
Finally an embarrassed, "Willis, Jacob." Became a Ravenclaw and the sorting was over.
Professor McGonagall removed the hat and stool and took her place at high table next to Dumbledor. He stood up and spread out his arms, as if to encompass the whole hall.
"Welcome to a new term at Hogwarts. This, as you all know is my first year as headmaster. I hope I can do half as well a job a Headmaster Dippit, who is now commemorated with the "Dippit memorial picture gallery". Please tell me if you find it because I would very much like to see the collection. I am not the only one with a new post, Professor McGonagall has joined our ranks as Deputy Head, Head of Gryffindor and to teach transfiguration." There were smatters of applause. Also Professor Jenkins has joined us to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, since Professor Quarto's incident with a vampire during the summer. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. Other notices, there is a new addition to the castle's flora. A whomping willow. I advise you not to approach this tree as it is very dangerous, or so Professor Teal assures me. The Forbidden Forest is still, as its name implies, out of bounds. Mr Filch wishes me to remind you that magic is not allowed in the corridors. And with that, here ends my speech. Let the feasting begin."
Professor Dumbledor clapped his hands and the platters were suddenly piled high with food. Including steak, lemon meringue pie, pumpkin juice, ham and pea risotto, steamed potatoes and, for some reason sherbet lemons.
As Remus tucked in he realised that maybe he could be at home here, but this was just a fleeting wisp of a thought. Instead he started to wonder what sherbet and spaghetti would taste like. Which, at the moment, seemed much more important.
*********
That's Chapter 4.
Review if you want to. I want you to.
And have a good day. #:-)
If nothing had shocked the first years so far the sight about to come would. The roof of the great hall was the most amazing thing Remus had ever seen. Above clusters of hovering candles there were clouds. How had it been created? The white orb of the moon glided through shrouds of cloud. Small stars glinted in well know patterns that seemed so unfamiliar in this setting.
When Remus finally tore his eyes down he saw the stark comparison of the warm welcoming hall to the harsh elements portrayed above. The walls were festooned with banners emblazoned with the school and house emblems. There were four tables with students sitting at them. All of them were staring, though some at the empty golden platters rather than at the first years. And above on a raised dais sat the teaching staff. Right in the middle of the table was the Headmaster, his bright blue eyes scanned the new students. Remus felt as if they, for a moment fixed on him and Dumbledore smiled wider. Bellow the dais on a stool was a battered hat.
r imagination, (free your soul!) I have faith that you can just brush over this tiny little omission. Just think up your own, it'll do you good. Feel free to flame, but I may invent a song yet and put it in later. Sorry. Sorry. ^Grovels on the floor. (Cough) stands up and continues with the fic^)
He was snapped back to what was happening by Professor McGonagall's sharp voice. "I will read out your names in alphabetical order. When I reach your name please walk forward, sit on the stool, and put on the hat. When you have been sorted, please walk swiftly to your house table." She adjusted her glasses cleared her throat and unfurled a scroll.
"Appleby, Bertha." The first nervous girl stumbled forward. Remus pitied her name and was thankful his began with an L. She looked elated as the hat announced "Hufflepuff!" The far table to the left gave a tremendous cheer.
"Arnolds, George." He walked towards the stool in an anxious hurry. He also ran to join the Ravenclaw table when the hat told the hall.
"Beaufort, Merope." As the second girl to go up was pronounced a Gryffindor, Remus realised exactly what was happening. He was done for
"Black, Sirius." There was Sirius, and after less than a second "Gryffindor!" rang out across the hall. He ran to the Gryffindor table to the sound of cheers.
"Cullen, Clive." What if he didn't get into a house with his friends? Remus thought. "Ravenclaw!"
"Dalir, Kapila." also became a Ravenclaw. Would he make new friends in his new house?
"De Morvill, Sophia." The first Slytherin. What if he didn't get into a house at all?
"Dipson, Wilbur" What if the hat... "Ravenclaw!"
"Evans, Lilly." ...didn't put him in a house and shouted Werewolf! instead? It didn't bear thinking about. Remus shuddered and looked at the red-haired girl joining the Gryffindor table. At least she didn't have to worry about not being put in a house. As he was looking at the Gryffindors, he saw Sirius wave. His stomach sank further.
"Fenning, Timothy." A pale boy who looked as sick as Remus felt was made a Hufflepuff. He fell over on the way to his table in his haste to be out of everyone's sight. The Hufflepuffs helped him to his feet without so much as a joke. They didn't seem so bad. Maybe, Remus thought they wouldn't mind me. But in his heart he knew this was a futile hope.
"Fisher, Flynn." A confident boy walked forward and was quickly made a "Slytherin!" What was it James had said about Slytherins? He had been quite vehement about the fact he would leave immediately if he was sorted with them. Well he was an evil creature, Remus mused, and he would fit in. Perhaps.
"Goldtern, Sandra." A girl with violently ginger hair and glasses became a "Ravenclaw!"
"Gunning, Verdi." They've reached the Gs. Oh hell. Remus checked his palm; it was red and sore as if he had been burned. "Ravenclaw!"
"Harding, Olive." James was trying to keep Peter from shaking. "Hufflepuff!" He, however seemed to be lapping up the stress.
"Harpspur, Pearl." Another girl became a Gryffindor.
"Hue, Iona." The Ravenclaw table erupted with applause as she joined them.
"Locket, Tacita." The Ls. How many were there? Would he be next? What was going to happen? Would he be found out? The questions spun round in Remus's head till he felt dizzy. "Hufflepuff!"
"Lupin, Remus." Remus thought he heard a catch in McGonagall's voice. His first step felt like the first step in a funeral procession. He could hear his heart pounding over everything else, even his thoughts were silent. His head felt like it was full of cotton wool. He felt just as sick as when he touched the silver cloak fastening. All too soon, it seemed, he was at the stool. He lifted the hat and placed it on his head.
*Hello.* said a voice in his head. It was definitely in his head, maybe the stress had made him go crazy? *No you're not crazy. I'm the sorting hat and don't worry, no one else can hear me.* the hat pre-empted his question. * Now where to put you?* he felt the presence delving into his mind. He didn't like it and uttered a mental growl. *Ah.* the hat sounded slightly alarmed. *I'm sorry. You are the first we've ever had here. I wish Dumbledor had told me, no one ever tells me anything * Remus relaxed slightly
^Don't worry^ he thought, feeling sorry for the hat. ^It must be very frustrating. I mean not being told anything.^
The hat seemed to recover slightly *Well, thank you. It's nice to meet someone so understanding, but I suppose you don't meet very many do you.* Remus fought the urge to shake his head. *That quality would stand you in good stead in Hufflepuff, but then would they be understanding enough about your.. problem.. or would they be afraid?* the hat pondered. *Now your mind is certainly good enough for Ravenclaw, but they would be the most likely to discover your secret and be very hard edged about it. Slytherin,*
^Oh yes, because I'm an evil creature.^ Remus considered depressively.
*No, sorry you just don't have that frame of mind.* Remus almost sighed audibly. *No that would never do. That leaves Gryffindor. Yes, brave Godric's house. Most of the people I put there haven't had to deal with the hardships you have or will. You have encountered trials most can not even imagine. The fact that you are here proves your bravery. It is our actions that reveal who we truly are. And you belong in...* "Gryffindor!" the hat bellowed aloud.
Remus took a deep breath, realising he hadn't inhaled since the hat started talking. He removed it carefully then placed it back on the stool. Murmuring thank you so no one else could hear, he walked down towards the other Gryffindors. The roaring of cheers fell silently on his ears as he tried to accept what had just happened.
He sat down next to Pearl Harpspur and opposite Sirius, who leaned over and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Well done mate. Good to have you, but you didn't half take along time." He said as "Jones, Aderyn." Became a Ravenclaw.
"These lovely ladies are Pearl and Lilly and Merope." Pointed them out in his most flamboyant way. Pearl giggled. "Ladies this is my esteemed friend Mr Remus Lupin." This time all three of the girls laughed, but the sound was stifled by the sound of "Mutton, Gertrude." becoming a "Slytherin!"
"Hi Remus," Merope. "are you excited about being here?"
"Yes," Remus confirmed, "more than you can imagine." He didn't feel ill any more except from his hand. And now he was here "Nimms, Thomas." at Hogwarts the lace he had always "Hufflepuff!" wanted to be, but never dared hope. Things seemed to be getting better by the second.
"Hey, look there's Pete." Sirius announced.
Peter was still looking ill and blundered forward when McGonagall read "Petigrew, Peter." He appeared even worse when sitting on the stool, but brightened up when the hat pronounced him a "Gryffindor!"
"Thank goodness" he breathed flopping down next to Sirius. "I thought I might end up in Slytherin." He began to look at the golden plates longingly
"Pits, Samson." Went to the Hufflepuffs before it was James's turn.
"Potter, James." He assuredly walked up to the stool. His wish was granted almost instantaneously. "Gryffindor!" the hat yelled. He sauntered down to the table beaming all the way. "Well, that wasn't so bad." He said casually cleaning his glasses. Remus had to control the urge to kick him under the table, very, very hard.
"Robson, Emma" soon followed him sighing as she sat down. "I don't know what you're grinning about?" she groaned, "I was doing my nut up there."
"Snape, Serverus." A tall greasy looking boy joined the ranks of the Slytherins with a smirk.
"Trent, Sabre." I'm ok no one knows what I am and I'm ok. Remus gave a mental sigh of relief. "Ravenclaw."
"Undermore, Isabella.", "Weston, Max." and "Whitton, Leo." Joined the Slytherins.
Finally an embarrassed, "Willis, Jacob." Became a Ravenclaw and the sorting was over.
Professor McGonagall removed the hat and stool and took her place at high table next to Dumbledor. He stood up and spread out his arms, as if to encompass the whole hall.
"Welcome to a new term at Hogwarts. This, as you all know is my first year as headmaster. I hope I can do half as well a job a Headmaster Dippit, who is now commemorated with the "Dippit memorial picture gallery". Please tell me if you find it because I would very much like to see the collection. I am not the only one with a new post, Professor McGonagall has joined our ranks as Deputy Head, Head of Gryffindor and to teach transfiguration." There were smatters of applause. Also Professor Jenkins has joined us to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, since Professor Quarto's incident with a vampire during the summer. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. Other notices, there is a new addition to the castle's flora. A whomping willow. I advise you not to approach this tree as it is very dangerous, or so Professor Teal assures me. The Forbidden Forest is still, as its name implies, out of bounds. Mr Filch wishes me to remind you that magic is not allowed in the corridors. And with that, here ends my speech. Let the feasting begin."
Professor Dumbledor clapped his hands and the platters were suddenly piled high with food. Including steak, lemon meringue pie, pumpkin juice, ham and pea risotto, steamed potatoes and, for some reason sherbet lemons.
As Remus tucked in he realised that maybe he could be at home here, but this was just a fleeting wisp of a thought. Instead he started to wonder what sherbet and spaghetti would taste like. Which, at the moment, seemed much more important.
*********
That's Chapter 4.
Review if you want to. I want you to.
And have a good day. #:-)